Blood Brothers

After 24 years in the West End, Blood Brothers closed on 10 November 2012.

Sadly, after one of the worlds longest runs, Blood Brothers has said it’s final farewell to the West End! Blood Brothers has been seen by many millions of audience members over the past three decades. If you have seen the show and would like to leave us your memories.

It’s Not All Over!

Thankfully you can still catch Blood Brothers on tour throughout the UK until Spring 2013!

Blood Brothers London 1983 – 2012

Blood Brothers opened in London’s West End at the Lyric Theatre in 1983 to critical acclaim. The musical written by Willy Russell won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical and Best Actress in its first year. After a successful first run, it did not appear for 5 years before being revived at the Albery Theatre (now the Noel Coward Theatre) in 1988 where it stayed for three years. It was then transferred to the Phoenix Theatre in 1991 where it remains today. Over two and a half decades, it has accumulated a host of Awards and has become one of the longest standing musicals on the West End.

The Story

Blood Brothers Musical is, at first, a heart-warming story of Mickey and Edward, two brothers separated at birth, brought together again through friendship. However, their familial relationship is concealed by their guardians who strive to keep them apart because of superstitious beliefs.

Despite relocating, their lives continue to intertwine, although the deep divisions between the privileged life of Edward and Mickey’s poverty-stricken existence are wholly apparent. As they try to conquer the social divisions which hinder their friendship, they must deal with the harsh realities of class consciousness; Edward goes on to study at Oxford whilst Mickey is forced into a life of crime through unemployment.

As adults, they are caught up in a vicious love triangle with Mickey’s childhood sweetheart Linda. Mickey’s imprisonment and subsequent depression pushes Linda into the arms of the conciliatory Edward. A desperate Mickey takes drastic action against his fraternal twin which will ultimately expose their true identities.

Blood Brothers London run was one of the longest musical runs in the world

Here, we outline details of the former cast members of the show including reviews and videos.

Bob obviously watched something else.
I saw Blood Brothers over 100 times, mostly at The Phoenix in the West End, and in many other parts of the country, including The Sunderland Empire.
When I went, Mrs Johnstone was always LYN PAUL, and she was brilliant in the role.
That`s why Bill Kenwright chose her, out of all the women who have ever led the cast, LYN PAUL is the undisputed definitive “Mrs J” of all time.
Bob, the show was not/is not terrible, it is gutsy, down to earth pure theatre. An incredible show, which needed little publicity, or big hit records in the pop charts. It has run, and continues to run all over the world, and it will return in triumph to the West End one day because it is real class. A giant amongst musicals…

Fantastic musical- bob’s obviously got no soul!! See 3 different Nolan sisters and lyn paul as Mrs J- always fantastic – heart wrenching- going to see it again soon in Sheffield with the wonderful Marti pellow- long may it reign

Saw blood brother when it came to cheltenham a few years ago with school – LOVED IT. Took my boyfriend, mum and her partner to see it last week as it came back to cheltenham again, still amazing and I cannot even describe how fantastic the cast were! Maureen Nolan made an amazing Mrs J and the boys playing Sammy, Eddie and Mickey could not have been cast better!

I went to watch Blood Brothers for the first time in the Sheffield theatre last month. I can honestly say it was the best show I have ever seen! I cried, laughed, even winced slightly at the gun shots. Definitely worth watching!

Can’t believe the tour is closing!!!!!!!! MUST MUST MUST come out on DVD?!? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE – maybe a recording of the last night of the tour??? best musical ever! Les Mis is currently sold out courtesy of the film, and the same was shown for Phantom and Mamma Mia – BRING OUT A FILM!